TOKYO, Nov. 4, 2009 (Kyodo News International) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Thursday as the closely watched U.S. Federal Reserve policy statement brought no big surprises and investors awaited an earnings report from Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE:TM) and U.S. jobs data for fresh cues.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 42.12 points, or 0.43 percent, from Wednesday to 9,802.19. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 0.72 point, or 0.08 percent, to 880.55. The Second Section also lost ground.
Decliners were led by pulp and paper, oil and coal product, and food issues. Major gainers included the mining, consumer finance and sea transport sectors.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average made only modest gains Wednesday as selling for gains set in after the Federal Reserve's decision to maintain its ultra-easy credit policy, largely as the market expected.
Investors in Tokyo are avoiding taking major positions ahead of Toyota's earnings report later Thursday and U.S. employment figures slated for Friday, brokers said.
